Filter interface for multimodal surgical gas delivery system

ABSTRACT

A surgical gas delivery system is disclosed that includes a device housing supporting a control unit and a filter interface having a seat for receiving a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a filter housing defining an interior reservoir, wherein sensors are coupled to the control unit for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir of the filter cartridge to prevent contamination of the device, and wherein a set of blocking valves are provided in the device housing for interacting with the filter cartridge when it is received in the filter interface to control flow through suction and pressure lines of the device, and wherein the control unit is adapted to recognize a characteristic of the filter cartridge received in the filter interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject invention is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/237,628, filed on Sep. 20, 2011, which claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/384,412, filed on Sep. 20,2010, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is directed to laparoscopic surgery, and moreparticularly, to a filter interface for a multimodal insufflation systemused during laparoscopic surgical procedures.

2. Description of Related Art

Laparoscopic or “minimally invasive” surgical techniques are becomingcommonplace in the performance of procedures such as cholecystectomies,appendectomies, hernia repair and nephrectomies. Benefits of suchprocedures include reduced trauma to the patient, reduced opportunityfor infection, and decreased recovery time. Such procedures within theabdominal (peritoneal) cavity are typically performed through a deviceknown as a trocar or cannula, which facilitates the introduction oflaparoscopic instruments into the abdominal cavity of a patient.

Additionally, such procedures commonly involve filling or “insufflating”the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity with a pressurized fluid, such ascarbon dioxide, to create what is referred to as a pneumoperitoneum. Theinsufflation can be carried out by a surgical access device (sometimesreferred to as a “cannula” or “trocar”) equipped to deliver insufflationfluid, or by a separate insufflation device, such as an insufflation(veress) needle. Introduction of surgical instruments into thepneumoperitoneum without a substantial loss of insufflation gas isdesirable, in order to maintain the pneumoperitoneum.

During typical laparoscopic procedures, a surgeon makes three to foursmall incisions, usually no larger than about twelve millimeters each,which are typically made with the surgical access devices themselves,typically using a separate inserter or obturator placed therein.Following insertion, the inserter is removed, and the trocar allowsaccess for instruments to be inserted into the abdominal cavity. Typicaltrocars often provide means to insufflate the abdominal cavity, so thatthe surgeon has an open interior space in which to work.

The trocar must provide a means to maintain the pressure within thecavity by sealing between the trocar and the surgical instrument beingused, while still allowing at least a minimum freedom of movement of thesurgical instruments. Such instruments can include, for example,scissors, grasping instruments, and occluding instruments, cauterizingunits, cameras, light sources and other surgical instruments. Sealingelements or mechanisms are typically provided on trocars to prevent theescape of insufflation gas. Sealing elements or mechanisms typicallyinclude a duckbill-type valve made of a relatively pliable material, toseal around an outer surface of surgical instruments passing through thetrocar.

Further, in laparoscopic surgery, electrocautery and other techniques(e.g. harmonic scalpels) create smoke and other debris in the surgicalcavity, reducing visibility by fogging the view from, and coatingsurfaces of endoscopes and the like. A variety of surgical insufflationsystems and smoke evacuation systems are known in the art.

Additionally, SurgiQuest, Inc., Milford, Conn. USA has developedsurgical access devices that permit access to an insufflated surgicalcavity without conventional mechanical seals, and has developed relatedsystems for providing sufficient pressure and flow rates to such accessdevices, as described in whole or in part in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724.

The present invention relates to multimodal systems, and related devicesand methods, capable of performing multiple surgical gas deliveryfunctions, including insufflation to standard or specialized surgicalaccess devices or other instruments, such as veress needles and thelike, smoke evacuation through standard or specialized surgical accessdevices, and specialized functions, such as recirculation and filtrationof insufflation fluids, such as with the above-mentioned surgical accessdevices described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724, as well as those in U.S.Pat. No. 7,182,752, 7,285,112, 7,413,559 or 7,338,473, for example.

Use of a single multimodal system such as those described herein reducescosts by requiring purchase of only one system while achieving multiplefunctions, and also thereby reduces the amount of equipment needed in anoperating room, thus reducing clutter and allowing space for othernecessary equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to a new and useful surgical gasdelivery system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures, andmore particularly, to a unique filter interface for a multimodalinsufflation and smoke evacuation system. The system includes a devicehousing supporting a computer-controlled control unit and a filterinterface. The filter interface has a seat for receiving a disposablefilter cartridge. The filter cartridge has a filter housing defining aninterior reservoir, and means are coupled to the control unit forsensing a level of liquid within the reservoir of the filter cartridge.

The means for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir includes afirst sensor adapted and configured to detect a first liquid levelwithin the reservoir and a second sensor adapted and configured todetect a second liquid level within the reservoir. Preferably, eachsensor is a reflective sensor with an integrated infrared emitter andphotodiode.

The filter cartridge has a pair of optical prisms formed integral withthe housing and located within the reservoir for sensing a level ofliquid within the reservoir. Preferably, the pair of prisms includes afirst prism defining a first set point level and a second prism defininga second set point level. An outer surface of the filter housing locatedproximate the location of the prisms is in optical communication withthe means for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir when thefilter is seated within the filter interface.

The control unit is adapted and configured to provide a warningindicating that a liquid level within the reservoir has reached thefirst set point level. The control unit is adapted and configured toshut down a compressor within the device housing when a liquid levelwithin the reservoir has reached the second set point level.

The device housing also includes a normally closed spring-loadedblocking valve for blocking a suction line associated with the smokeevacuation feature when a filter cartridge is not seated within thefilter interface, or in other operational modes. In addition, the devicehousing includes a normally closed spring-loaded blocking valve forblocking a pressure line associated with the gaseous sealing featureswhen a filter cartridge is not seated within the filter interface, or inother operational modes.

The device is adapted and configured to perform a self-test prior to asurgical procedure, to determine if there is a filter cartridge attachedto the filter interface. The blocking valves are both closed during theself-test. The device has a first mode of operation in which theblocking valves for the suction line and pressure line are both closed.This corresponds to a standard or conventional insufflation mode ofoperation in which a standard or conventional trocar is employed.

As used herein, the terms conventional or standard trocar shall refer toa mechanically sealed trocar device that employs, for example, aduckbill seal, tri-cuspid seal or wiper seal to prevent the egress ofinsufflation fluid from the body cavity through the trocar during asurgical procedure, as opposed to a gas sealed trocar that does notemploy a mechanical seal to prevent the egress of insufflation fluidthrough the trocar.

The device has a second mode of operation in which the blocking valvesfor the suction line and pressure line are both open. This correspondsto a gaseous sealing mode of operation, wherein smoke evacuation isperformed while a unique gas sealed trocar device in employed. Thedevice has a third mode of operation in which the suction line andpressure line are both open, but the pressure line is internally blockedby the filter. This corresponds to an insufflation and smoke evacuationmode of operation wherein two conventional trocars are employed intandem.

The control unit of the surgical gas delivery device of the subjectinvention is also adapted to detect or otherwise recognize anoperational or physical characteristic of the filter cartridge receivedin the filter interface. More particularly, the control unit is adaptedto detect whether the filter cartridge is configured for use in a modeof operation in which a gas sealed trocar device is connected to thefilter cartridge through a multi-lumen tube set (i.e., the gaseous sealmode), or whether the filter cartridge is configured for use in a secondmode of operation in which two conventional or standard mechanicallysealed trocar devices are connected to the filter cartridge through amulti-lumen tube set (i.e., the insufflation and smoke evacuation mode).The control unit is also adapted to detect the orientation or positionof the filter cartridge within filter interface, to ensure the filtercartridge is properly seated prior to operation.

In another aspect of the subject invention, the device housing of thesurgical gas delivery device communicates with the abdominal cavity of apatient through a gas circuit, which includes a surgical access device.The device housing of the surgical gas delivery device supports acomputer-controlled control unit having a gas sensor for monitoring gasquality in the gas circuit. The gas sensor is adapted and configured todetect gas composition in the gas circuit. For example, the gas sensorcan be adapted to detect the CO₂, O₂ or N₂ concentration within the gascircuit. The gas composition in the gas circuit correlates directly withthe gas composition within the abdominal cavity. More particularly, thegas composition within a recirculation chamber of the surgical accessdevice correlates directly with the gas composition within the abdominalcavity of the patient.

Preferably, the control unit is adapted and configured to maintain a gasconcentration in the abdominal cavity within a predetermined range, asmonitored by the gas sensor. The control unit is adapted and configuredto increase insufflation flow rate to the abdominal cavity if the gassensor determines the gas concentration in the abdominal cavity fallsbelow a predetermined level.

These and other features of the surgical gas delivery system of thesubject invention and the manner in which it is manufactured andemployed will become more readily apparent to those having ordinaryskill in the art from the following enabling description of thepreferred embodiments of the subject invention taken in conjunction withthe several drawings described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject inventionappertains will readily understand how to make and use the subjectinvention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereofwill be described in detail herein below with reference to certainfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multimodal gas delivery deviceconstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a filter cartridge adapted andconfigured for interfacing with the gas delivery device of FIG. 1, whichincludes a fluid trap or reservoir for capturing bodily fluid drawn intothe filter cartridge during use;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged localized view of a pair of optical prisms formedintegral with the filter housing and located within the reservoir forsensing a level of liquid within the reservoir;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the filter cartridge with the outer wallof the filter housing broken away to show the reservoir having a levelof fluid therein that is insufficient to interact with the first opticalprism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the first optical prism and theelectronic sensor associated therewith, when fluid is not interactingwith the prism, as shown in FIG. 4, whereby 100% of the emitted infraredsignal is returned through the prism to the photodiode of the sensor;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filter cartridge with the outer wallof the filter housing broken away to show the reservoir having a levelof fluid therein that is sufficient to interact with the first opticalprism;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the first optical prism and theelectronic sensor associated therewith, when fluid is interacting withthe prism, as shown in FIG. 6, whereby less than 100% of the emittedinfrared signal is returned through the prism to the photodiode of thesensor;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged localized view of the multimodal gas deliverydevice of FIG. 1, with the front face cut away to reveal the internalcomponents of the filter interface, including the latching lever, filterseat and blocking valves;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge seated in thecartridge interface and interacting with the blocking valves;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the components of the multimodal gasdelivery device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a detailed pneumatic schematic of the multimodal gas deliverysystem of the subject invention;

FIG. 12 is a pneumatic schematic of the multimodal gas delivery systemof the subject invention during the insufflation mode with smokeevacuation, wherein two conventional mechanically sealed trocars areemployed; and

FIG. 13 depicts the gas circuit of the subject invention, which ismonitored by a gas composition sensor, for ensuring gas quality in theabdominal cavity of a patient during a laparoscopic surgical procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be appreciated that the systems, devices and methods presentedherein may be used for surgical gas delivery, including insufflation,smoke evacuation, and/or recirculation in connection with suitablesurgical devices, and in applicable surgical procedures. The presentinvention is particularly suited for minimizing the amount of equipmentneeded in a surgical operating room, in that the subject systems arecapable of performing multiple functions, and therefore also allowflexibility of surgical technique. It is envisioned that the gasdelivery system disclosed herein can be used in general laparoscopicprocedures including but not limited to laparoscopic cholecystectomy,laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic hernia repair, Nissen-Y and LapNephrectomy.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that systems describedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724, for example, provide pressurized gas to andremove depressurized gas from specialized surgical access devices, whichpenetrate into a surgical cavity, such as a patient's abdominal cavity.These access devices are adapted and configured to form a pressurebarrier to inhibit the loss of insufflation gas to the atmosphere.

Gas from the abdomen interchanges with gas coming from the accessdevice(s), a portion of which is collected and recycled through thesystem, and is re-pressurized, passing through one or more filters alongthe way. During this recycling process, smoke and/or other circulatingdebris, such as atomized fluids, are removed by the filters, improvingvisibility within the surgical cavity, thus aiding in the surgicalprocedure.

The multimodal gas delivery system of the subject invention is adaptedand configured to selectively provide three different insufflationfunctions. The first mode of operation involves the automatically(electronically) regulated delivery of a pressurized insufflation fluidto a gas sealed access device to provide and maintain sealable access tothe body cavity, and smoke evacuation from the body cavity through afilter device. In this mode, the user can selectively start and stopinsufflation, set the abdominal pressure, select the level of smokeevacuation (normal ˜3 l/min or high ˜8 l/min), and set the flow rate. Aunique three lumen tube set is used for this mode of operation, whereinone lumen is used for pressure, one lumen is used for suction and onelumen is used for insufflation.

In this mode, the gas sealed access device includes an annular nozzleconfigured to direct pressurized fluid from a plenum chamber into acentral bore of a trocar to provide a constant gaseous seal around asurgical instrument inserted there through, while simultaneouslypreventing a loss of pressurized fluid from the body cavity through thecentral bore of the trocar. Such a surgical access device is disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,413,559 and 7,854,724, which are both hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

The second mode of operation utilizes two tethered conventional trocarsand involves directing pressurized insufflation gas into the body cavityusing one conventional trocar to create and maintain thepneumoperitoneum, while performing smoke evacuation through the secondconventional trocar that is in fluid communication with a filter device.In this mode, the device evacuates gas from the peritoneum through alumen connected to the suction line of a compressor. The evacuated gasis filtered and returned to the insufflation line. A two lumen tube setis used for this mode of operation, wherein one lumen is used forstandard insufflation and one lumen is used for smoke evacuation. Inthis mode, the user can select the level of smoke evacuation (normal ˜3l/min or high ˜8 l/min) and selectively start and stop smoke evacuation.

The third mode of operation can be considered a conventionalinsufflation mode, which is conducted with a single conventional trocar,using a standard insufflation tube set that is adapted to interface witha standard 6 mm insufflation connector on the front face of the devicehousing. The compressor and all other gas circuits related to the gassealed access device are shut off during this mode of operation. In thismode, the user can selectively start and stop insufflation. Threedifferent flow rates can be selected by the user within a range of 1 to40 l/min, and the values of each level can be changed by the user.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identifysimilar structural features or aspects of the subject invention, thereis illustrated in FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of a surgical gasdelivery system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures which isdesignated generally by reference numeral 10. The system 10 includes adevice housing 12 with carrying handles 14 on each side of the housing.The front face of the housing 12 has a capacitive or resistive touchscreen 16 for presenting a graphical user interface GUI and a powerswitch 18 for turning the device on and off.

The front face of housing 12 further includes a filter cartridgeinterface 20 with a rotatable latch mechanism 22 configured tofacilitate the secure engagement of a disposable filter cartridge 24within the device housing 12. In addition, the front face of housing 12includes a standard 6 mm insufflation connection 26. While not shown,the rear face of the housing 12 includes a gas supply fitting forconnection with a source of compressed gas, a standard USB interface forservice purposes and a standard power connection.

The filter cartridge interface 20 is designed to recognize which type offilter 24 has been inserted into the housing. For example, it mayrecognize the proper position or orientation of the filter cartridge. Itcan also recognize if the inserted filter is specifically designed foruse in the first mode of operation (i.e., the gaseous seal mode) or afilter specifically designed for use in the second mode of operation(i.e., insufflation and smoke evacuation mode).

Referring to FIG. 2, the filter cartridge 24 has a filter housing 28that includes a cover plate 30 having a manifold connection 32 forreceiving a fitting 34 associated with a tri-lumen tube set 36 (see FIG.1). The filter housing 28 is dimensioned and configured to support apair of filter elements 38 a and 38 b, and it defines an interiorreservoir or fluid trap 40 for collecting bodily fluid that has beendrawn into the system through the suction line of the tube set 36 duringsmoke evacuation, for example.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a pair of triangular optical prisms 42 a, 42 bformed integral with the filter housing 28 and located within thereservoir 40 for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir 40.Preferably, the first or lower prism 42 a defines a first set pointlevel for the sensing system and the second or upper prism 42 b definesa second set point level for the sensing system. More particularly, thefirst prism 42 a is positioned to detect a first liquid level withinreservoir 40 and the second prism 42 b is positioned to detect a secondliquid level within reservoir 40.

Referring to FIG. 5, each optical prism 42 a, 42 b is operativelyassociated with a fluid level sensor 44 that comprises an analog-outputreflective sensor with an integrated high efficiency infrared emitter 46and a photodiode 48 housed in a small form factor SMD package (e.g.,HSDL-9100, manufactured by Avago Technologies, Ft. Collins, Colo.). Inoperation, an infrared signal is generated by the emitter 46 anddirected into an optical prism 42 a, 42 b. If, as illustrated in FIG. 4,the prism 42 a is not covered by liquid in reservoir 40, it will return100% of the emitted infrared signal to the photodiode 48, as depictedschematically in FIG. 5.

If however, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the prism 42 a is covered byliquid in reservoir 40, a portion of the infrared light delivered by theemitter 46 will be scattered into the fluid, and the prism will returnless than 100% of the emitted infrared signal to the photodiode 48(e.g., 50% of the signal), as depicted schematically in FIG. 7. In thiscase, the controller will provide a visual and/or audible warning to theuser indicating that the liquid level within the reservoir 40 hasreached the first set point level. This will ensure early userattention/action and prevent contamination of the device housing 12. Asdiscussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 10, the controlleror control unit is adapted and configured to shut down a compressorassociated with the suction line within the device housing 12 when aliquid level within the reservoir 40 of the filter housing 24 hasreached the second set point level.

In sum, the liquid level sensors 42 a, 42 b will detect two states, whenthe filter reservoir 40 is filled to about a first level and when thefilter reservoir 40 is filled to about a second level. When the filterreservoir 40 is filled to about the first level, information is sent tothe controller to show a warning. When the reservoir 40 is full, toprevent the device housing 12 from contamination, the compressor willshut down immediately within 0.2 second. The controller also informedand it will show a warning. The device 10 then switches to a standardinsufflation mode of operation, without smoke evacuation.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the filter interface 20 of the devicehousing 12 further includes a pair of spring-loaded blocking valves 50,52, which are adapted and configured to interact with the filtercartridge 24 when it is seated in the filter interface 20. Moreparticularly, these mechanical blocking valves 50, 52 are closed, if nofilter is connected. The valves are opened when the filter cartridge 24is seated in the filter interface 20. Blocking valve 50 is associatedwith the suction line used for smoke evacuation, while blocking valve 52is associated with the pressure line used for effectuating a gaseousseal in a unique gas sealed trocar.

Referring to FIG. 10, the gas delivery system 100 of the subjectinvention includes two primary component blocks 110 and 112. The firstcomponent block 110 includes a power supply 114, a High Pressure Unit(HPU) 116 designed to reduce incoming pressure from the gas supply to˜2.2 bar, and a Low Pressure Unit (LPU) 118 that controls insufflationoutput. It also contains access points for measuring abdominal pressureand it includes a mechanical relief valve. The LPU includes a FlowMeasurement Unit (FMU) 120 for differential pressure measurement and anInsufflation Split Unit (ISU) 122 that divides the insufflation pathinto two outlines, namely Outlet Line Valves (OLV1 and OLV2), (see FIG.11).

A man machine interface (MMI) or single board computer 124, which isbased on a Windows CE operating system, is responsible for controllingthe graphical user interface presented on the Touch Display 126, whichis preferably a 7″ graphic display screen, as shown in FIG. 1. A PrimaryControl Unit (PCU) 128 defined on a printed circuit board controls theHPU, LPU, FMU and ISU of component block 110. In addition, the PCUobserves both fluid level sensors associated with the filter interface20.

The second component block 112 includes a compressor 130 responsible forpressure within the gas circuit of the system. It can supply the gassealed trocar with flow up to 55 l/min at 35 psi. The output of thepressure line is controlled by a bypass valve (BPV). Component block 112further includes a Valve Actuation Unit (VAU-AS) 132 that contains thedifferent valves which control the flow of gas through the system. Moreparticularly, the VAU-AS controls the performance the relief valve foran overpressure scenario (ORV) and the high pressure gas fill valve(GFV) needed for the self-test mode, among others. The self-test featurewill be discussed in more detail herein below. The VAU-AS also providesan alternative outlet for the smoke evacuation function (SEV), andaccess points for pressure measurement. It also cools down the gas inthe pressure line.

With continuing reference to FIG. 10, the second component block 112further includes a Gas Composition Unit (GCU) 134 that consists of anoxygen sensor and an Air Seal Regulator (ASR) 136, which is a printedcircuit board, that essentially controls the valves of the VAU-AS andenables/disables the compressor 130. It also measures pressure in thegas circuit and analyzes the output of the GCU. More particularly, theGCU 134 detects oxygen concentration in the gas circuit to ensure gasquality, as discussed in more detail below.

More particularly, the ASR 136 measures pressure in the pressure lineand controls the relief valve associate therewith. It measures thetemperature of the device housing 12 and controls two cooling fans. Itcontrols the relief valve in an over pressure scenario and the gas fillvalve GFV. It also controls the air ventilation valve AVV (see FIG. 11),which is needed for the smoke evacuation mode and it communicates withthe PCU/MMI. The VAU-AS also control the status of the filling levelindicator in the filter 24, recognizes the type of installed filter andthe correct locked position of the filter 24 in the filter interface 20of device housing 12.

During a laparoscopic surgical procedure, the gas concentration in theabdominal cavity should be maintained at a predetermined level. Thislevel can change during a procedure for two reasons: a) leakages fromthe abdominal cavity can cause air to be drawn into the abdominal cavitythrough the trocar; and b) leakages in the suction line of thecompressor can cause air to be returned to the trocar.

It has been determined that the gas quality in the gas circuit of thegas delivery system 100, which is depicted in FIG. 13, correlatesdirectly with the gas quality within the abdominal cavity of thepatient. For example, it has been shown that a certain defined sensorvalue of oxygen in the gas circuit, as determined by GCU 134, results ina corresponding abdominal CO₂ concentration. The ASR 136 is adapted andconfigured to maintain gas concentration in the abdominal cavity withina predetermined range. The ASR 136 is adapted and configured to increaseinsufflation flow rate to the abdominal cavity if the gas concentrationin the abdominal cavity falls below a predetermined level, as a resultof leakage. The flow rate will not however, be lower than the selectedsmoke evacuation level. If the system is not able to recover gas qualityon the abdominal cavity by increasing insufflation flow rate a messagewill be displayed and an audible alarm will be sounded.

With continuing reference to FIG. 10 and in conjunction with FIG. 11,the gas delivery system 100 is adapted and configured to perform aself-test prior to a surgical procedure. For the self-test, twoprerequisites are necessary. The gas supply must be connected to thedevice, and there can be no filter cartridge attached to the filterinterface. If the filter is attached or the gas supply is empty thedevice will show an error message. In the self-test mode, the blockingvalves 50, 52 for the pressure line and the suction line are closed. Atthis time, the BPV is open, the ORV is open and the GPV is open untilpressure is not rising in the circuit. The device 100 will test forleakage in the system, compressor function, all valve functions, thepressure sensors the Low Pressure Safety Valve (LSV), the GCU and theFMU. If the self-test succeeds, the device starts up in normal mode.Otherwise a corresponding error message is shown on the user interfacescreen.

In the standard insufflation mode of operation, there is no filter inuse. Thus, the blocking valves 50, 52 for the suction and pressure linesare both closed. Also closed are the GFV, BPV and SEV valves. The ORV isopen and the OLV2 is closed. Depending upon the insufflation situation,the OLV1 may be open or closed.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the gaseous seal mode, the OLV1 is closed. Theblocking valves 50, 52 for the suction line and pressure line are bothopen. The SEV, BPV and GRV valve are all closed. The BPV controls outputand the OLV2 is open or closed depending upon the insufflationsituation. The ASR will detect that a gas sealed trocar device isconnected to the system. If the ASR detects a gas sealed trocar device,the time between measurement tasks is minimized to get fasterinformation about abdominal pressure from the PCU. If the actualpressure is lower than the set pressure, the ASR will close theproportional bypass valve BPV. To reduce pressure in the abdomen the BPVis opened.

Referring to FIG. 12, in the insufflation and smoke evacuation mode,where two standard/conventional trocars are utilized with a unique twolumen tube set, the outlet line valve (OLV1) is closed. The compressor130 is turned on and the blocking valve 50 of the suction line is open.In the insufflation and smoke evacuation mode, the filter 24 is seatedin the filter interface 20. Accordingly, the blocking valves 50, 52 areboth open. However, the blocking valve 52 associated with the pressureline remains blocked internally by the filter 24 itself. In this mode,the GPV, BPV and ORV are all open. The OLV2 is open or closed dependingupon the insufflation situation. The power of smoke evacuation can beadjusted by the BPV. The SEV is open during insufflation and closedduring a measurement task.

It is also envisioned and well within the scope of the subjectdisclosure that in the insufflation and smoke evacuation mode shown inFIG. 11, the ORV can be open rather than closed as shown. Consequently,no recirculation would occur. In such a configuration, one of thetrocars would be used for smoke evacuation and removal, while the othertrocar would only be used to provide CO₂ to the abdominal cavity andwould not be connected to the pressure line of the pump.

While the subject invention has been shown and described with referenceto preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that various changes and/or modifications may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the subject invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical gas delivery system comprising: a device housing supporting a computer-controlled control unit and a filter interface having a seat for receiving a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a filter housing defining an interior reservoir, wherein means are coupled to the control unit for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir of the filter cartridge to prevent fluid contamination of the device housing.
 2. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir includes a first sensor adapted and configured to detect a first liquid level within the reservoir and a second sensor adapted and configured to detect a second liquid level within the reservoir.
 3. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 2, wherein each sensor is a reflective sensor with an integrated infrared emitter and photodiode.
 4. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a filter cartridge including a pair of optical prisms formed integral with the housing and located within the reservoir for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir, wherein the pair of prisms includes a first prism defining a first set point level and a second prism defining a second set point level.
 5. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 4, wherein an outer surface of the filter housing located proximate the location of the prisms is in optical communication with the means for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir when the filter is seated within the filter interface.
 6. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted and configured to provide a warning indicating that a liquid level within the reservoir has reached the first set point level.
 7. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 5, wherein the control unit is adapted and configured to shut down a compressor within the device housing when a liquid level within the reservoir has reached the second set point level.
 8. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the device housing includes a normally closed spring-loaded blocking valve for blocking a suction line when a filter cartridge is not seated within the filter interface.
 9. A surgical gas delivery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the device housing includes a normally closed spring-loaded blocking valve for blocking a pressure line when a filter cartridge is not seated within the filter interface.
 10. A surgical gas delivery device comprising: a device housing supporting a computer-controlled control unit and a filter interface having a seat for receiving a filter cartridge, the filter interface having a first blocking valve for interacting with a suction line in the device housing and a second blocking valve for interacting with a pressure line in the device housing.
 11. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 10, wherein the device is adapted and configured to perform a self-test prior to a surgical procedure, to determine if there is a filter cartridge attached to the filter interface.
 12. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 11, wherein the blocking valves are closed during the self-test.
 13. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 10, wherein the device has a first mode of operation in which the blocking valves for the suction and pressure lines are closed.
 14. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 10, wherein the device has a second mode of operation in which the blocking valves for the suction line and pressure line are both open.
 15. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 10, wherein the device has a third mode of operation in which the suction line and pressure line are both open, but the pressure line is internally blocked by the filter.
 16. A surgical gas delivery device comprising: a device housing supporting a computer-controlled control unit and a filter interface having a seat for receiving a filter cartridge connected to a multi-lumen tube set associated with at least one trocar device, the control unit being adapted to detect a characteristic of the filter cartridge received in the filter interface of the surgical gas delivery device.
 17. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 16, wherein the control unit being adapted to detect at least one of a physical or operational characteristic of the filter cartridge received in the filter interface.
 18. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 16, wherein the control unit is adapted to detect whether the filter cartridge is configured for use in a mode of operation in which a gas sealed trocar device is connected to the filter cartridge.
 19. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 16, wherein the control unit is adapted to detect whether the filter cartridge is configured for use in a second mode of operation in which two mechanically sealed trocar devices are connected to the filter cartridge.
 20. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 16, wherein the control unit is adapted to detect the orientation of the filter cartridge within filter interface.
 21. A surgical gas delivery device comprising: a device housing communicating with the abdominal cavity of a patient through a gas circuit, the device housing supporting a computer-controlled control unit having a gas sensor for monitoring gas quality in the gas circuit, wherein the gas quality in the gas circuit is in direct correlation to gas quality within the abdominal cavity.
 22. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 21, wherein the gas sensor is adapted and configured to detect a gas concentration in the gas circuit.
 23. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 21, wherein the control unit is adapted and configured to maintain gas concentration in the abdominal cavity within a predetermined range.
 24. A surgical gas delivery device as recited in claim 22, wherein the control unit is adapted and configured to increase insufflation flow rate to the abdominal cavity if the gas concentration in the abdominal cavity falls below a predetermined level. 